There is a performance tax, a fee, that radio stations pay to play music. For decades, royalty fees were paid for the right to broadcast songs terrestrially. Now, the RIAA, the Recording Industry Association of America, along with various musicians and record labels are pushing Congress for changes that could potentially change the way we listen to music on the radio. Attorney Jay Cooper, who represents artists like Etta James and Sheryl Crow, and Jeffrey B. Light, an expert on Intellectual Property issues who represents musicians like The Rolling Stones and Christina Aguilera, explain what this means.

Music Button: Elvis Costello, “Radio Radio”, from the CD This Year’s Model, (Ryko records)